Beneath the Depths - Book Four (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Twenty-One

Sirena POV

“There you are Sirena.” My racing heart stops hearing her voice, the blood in my veins turning to ice. I push MJ away and turn toward the familiar voice of Vera, my master, her eyes burning with anger. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” She grabs my hand and pulls me from the alcove, her nails digging into my flesh as she fake smiles down at me. Her gaze shifts to MJ as he steps out of the alcove as well, her eyes darting between us. “And who’s your friend?” that question is loaded with more questions that only I would be able to tell the answers to. I feel sick, wanting to warn MJ to leave and never turn back. Vera is a dangerous woman. I couldn’t handle it if he got hurt because of me. I shake my arm, asking her to let me go so I can tell her, but MJ beats me to it and I feel like I’m going to throw up.

“MJ Stone. I’m in some classes with Sirena. Nice to meet you….” He leaves the ending open for her to fill in her name, his gaze shifting back and forth from Vera’s tight grip on my arm to me. I look away, not wanting him to do anything stupid if he saw anything in my eyes. Vera steps forward, blocking me from view, with a big smile on her face.

“I’m Vera.” I see MJ nod over her shoulder his eyes taking her in. With one last up and down she turns back to me and starts pulling me behind her. “Well, it’s nice to meet you PJ, but we have to be going. Cordelia is waiting for us.” I cringe at her purposeful use of a wrong name and give a quick wave to MJ as I’m pulled away. Vera drags me behind her harshly, yanking every now and then if my pace isn’t the pace she wants. When we finally reach our dorm she shoves me inside, and slams me up against the closed door, forearm to my throat, her hot breath in my face.

“What the hell was that?” She growls, her eyes hot with anger.

“Sirena!” Cordelia’s voice from behind Vera brings me little comfort. “What did you do?” Vera’s forearm pushes harder against my throat, causing me to choke slightly.

“I almost caught her kissing some guy in an alcove outside the music building.” I hear Cordelia’s sudden intake of breath as she puts Vera’s words together.

“I thought I warned you. You’re mine. Do you understand?” I nod quickly, my eyes wide, letting her know I heard her. “If I see you alone like that with him again, I’ll kill him, nice and slow,” she presses her arm into my throat with each word to make her point, “and I’ll make you watch as the light leaves his eyes. Got it?” I nod again. Satisfied she releases me, and I fall to my knees, holding my throat. Cordelia runs to my side and helps me to my feet. “I’m gone not even two weeks and already you two are running amok. It’s very disappointing.” Her hand reaches beneath her shirt to pull out a golden nautilus shell attached to a strong black thread. My blood turns thick and my heart squeezes as she grips it tightly in her palm, squeezing the small shell. My breath leaves me as I fall to the floor, Cordelia pleading with her to stop. As quick as it happened it stopped, and I cling to the floor gasping for air. Cordelia strokes my hair as I catch my breath and Vera comes to stand above us.

“Just remember who holds all the cards here girls. You work for me. You belong to me. Anyone who gets in the way of your job is a threat. And I eliminate threats. Understood?” We both nod tiredly, our eyes gleaming with unshed tears. “Good.” Her smirk has my heart seething with anger as she tucks the shell back under her collar and turns from us. “Now, prepare yourselves for tonight. We have a meeting with the council. The incident with our last target we can no longer leave the selection of them to you both. It is gaining too much attention that way. So we will be discussing our next steps in how we will be selecting our next directive. hope you’re well rested Sirena, it might be a big one.” With that she turns and walks from our apartment, leaving me and Cordelia on the floor clinging to each other, preparing ourselves for what lies ahead. Whatever it is, will taint who I am as a person, as a mermaid, forever.